Baltimore
Bike Bus

Frequently Asked Questions

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What is a Bike Bus?

A Bike Bus is a group of children and families riding bikes to school together along a set route. It can go to one or multiple schools, have one or multiple starting points, and can have a few or a lot of children and families, but all Bike Buses have similar joy, positivity, community feel, and transformative energy. There are bike buses all over the world! By riding with the Baltimore Bike Bus you're part of a global movement!

Why it matters

When kids and adults ride together, there is safety in numbers. We see the Bike Bus as a great way to promote biking in our city—in the hopes of encouraging more people to think about caring for our community, our environment, and making safer streets for cycling.

Who we are

We're a group of Baltimore parents and community supporters who want to make it joyful, fun, and safe to bike to school together. The Baltimore Bike Bus is an informal, parent-led community ride, not an organized program or club. Parents are responsible for both making the decision whether their child should participate and also for assessing conditions before each ride. The initiative does not supervise kids, track attendance, arrange return trips, or provide first-aid — participation is entirely at each family's own discretion and risk.

What schools does Baltimore Bike Bus serve?

Baltimore Bike Bus started at Roland Park Elementary and Middle School during the 2025-2026 school year. It is still in the early stages of organizing. See which schools are along our current routes.

How do I join the Baltimore Bike Bus?

Here is all the info you need on how to ride the bike bus!

Does Bike Bus ride together on the way home from school as well?

Bike Bus focuses on the community ride to school on Friday mornings. Given the large variety of after school sports, clubs, and other schedules, in practice each family makes a return trip plan on their own, often coordinating with each other using the WhatsApp group.

What days of the week do you ride?

Baltimore Bike Bus focuses on riding to school on Fridays. However, the magic of Bike Bus is getting to meet neighbors on your route. Many kids and families bike to school multiple days of the week and they coordinate that amongst themselves using the WhatsApp group.

Do you ride in all weather conditions?

Bike Bus rides every Friday when the weather allows! Every parent is going to have a different threshold as to what weather they feel comfortable having their child ride in. Parents are always responsible for both making the decision whether their child should participate and also for assessing conditions before each ride.

As general guidance many families will skip riding to school if it is actively raining (more than a drizzle), it is below 45 degrees, or if wind gusts reach 35 mph or when sustained winds exceed 25 mph. Again, families with younger riders may have lower thresholds for wind speeds and comfort levels. While the weather may be OK in the morning, families will also need to assess weather in the afternoon during the time their child intends to ride home.

Do I have to sign up for Bike Bus? Is there a cost?

There is no sign-up and no cost at all. This is a community bike ride and all are welcome to join!

My school isn't on a route yet. How can I request a Bike Bus for my school?

The best way to connect, plan and create new routes is to go here and fill out the form. Your contact information will be sent to the group of parents who are helping to set up Baltimore Bike Bus. You bring the energy, we'll do our best to help with the infrastructure!

Can I request a route be changed to pick us up along the way?

Bike Bus definitely understands that as it grows and evolves the routes may need to change. Please go here and fill out the form. Your contact information and route change request will be sent to the group of parents who are helping to set up Baltimore Bike Bus.

What if there isn't a bike rack at my school? Does Bike Bus buy bike racks?

Bike Bus doesn't purchase or install bike racks — it's an informal, parent-led ride, not a funded program. If your school doesn't have one, there are two ways to pursue it:

Does Bike Bus provide helmets and bikes for children?

Unfortunately, no. Bike Bus is an informal, parent-led community ride, not an organized program or club. We do see parents using the WhatsApp groups to sell bikes their kids have outgrown.